Russian visa registration requirement

You and your friend should go to the post office within first 7 days of arrival and she/he will submit your registration.

When going to the post office, if possible, I would go to the Main regional post office, aka Pochtamt (usually, more experienced stuff). She will tell the clerk that she wishes to register an alien. The clerk will give her the paperwork, help her fill it in, file it and collect some fee. Have your passport, visa and migration card with you as photocopies of the above will be needed.

Sources:

• 27FZ federal law number 27
• Instructions on Russian Internal Affairs ministry web site
• Some english site

NB! If you travel to Russia during June 17 to July 2, 2017 (FIFA Confederation Cup) and later for 2018 World Cup, the registration rules have been made more strict by the presidential decree #202 from May,9 2017, you must register within 24 hours on arrival and you must appear in person in GUVM. This applies to Sochi, Kazan, Moscow, St-Petersburg and several other cities for the World Cup 2018.

When you are in Russia, you and your friend should go to the local UFMS (Federal Migration Service) to register the visa.

Depending on your nationality and the place you go to in Russia, you might need a registration support letter. Some travel agencies can provide that letter, for example Real Russia : http://realrussia.co.uk/Visas/Russian/Registration